Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 626
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
आगननिं गां ब्राह्मणं चैव तथा हायुर्न रिष्यते । भीगे पैर भोजन करनेवाला मनुष्य सौ वर्षोतक जीवन धारण करता है। भोजन करके हाथ-मुँह धोये बिना मनुष्य उच्छिष्ट (अपवित्र) रहता है। ऐसी अवस्थामें उसे अग्नि
agnim gāṁ brāhmaṇaṁ caiva tathā āyur na riṣyate | bhuktvā pāṇi-mukhaṁ aśaucam apohya na spraśet trīn tejasvinaḥ ||
Dengan menaati aturan ini, umur tidak berkurang. Setelah makan, selama tangan dan mulut belum dibasuh, seseorang tetap berada dalam keadaan ucchiṣṭa (tidak suci); dalam keadaan itu ia tidak boleh menyentuh tiga yang bercahaya dan patut dimuliakan—api, sapi, dan brāhmaṇa. Dengan disiplin demikian, daya hidup dan panjang umur terpelihara.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
After eating, one should wash hands and mouth; until then one is considered impure (ucchiṣṭa/aśauca) and should not touch the sacred triad—fire, cow, and Brahmin. This discipline is presented as protective of one’s vitality and longevity.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma and proper conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on everyday rules of cleanliness and reverence, linking personal purity with respect toward sacred beings and with the preservation of life-force.